New details about China's J-36 tri-engine aircraft have emerged
The Chinese aircraft manufacturer Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group continues to test its new J-36 heavy tri-engine aircraft. The video of the tests was posted by Rational314159 on social network X, which allowed us to take a closer look at the design and features of this machine.
Here's What We Know
The new footage confirmed that the aircraft will have a two-seat cockpit with a pilot and navigator-operator, similar to the Russian Su-34. The aircraft is equipped with three engines with flat nozzles. Its design includes a two-wheeled nose strut and a bogie two-wheel landing gear, which indicates its considerable weight.
There is an air intake on the upper part of the fuselage, and two more are located under the wing. They are designed with a non-diversionary supersonic design, which improves aerodynamic performance. The J-36 is constructed with a "tailless" design, which reduces drag and increases flight efficiency at cruise speeds, including supersonic operation.
沈六wen fly？ pic.twitter.com/6JWnjmSiXl
- 理智π (@Rational314159) 26 March 2025
At the same time, this design reduces manoeuvrability, which is why engineers had to introduce an electric remote control system and a mechanism for deflecting the thrust vector. The wings are equipped with control surfaces that change their position depending on the phases of flight.
The wing's mechanisation is highly developed, with about ten control surfaces. The cockpit has a flat shape, which may indicate the ability to maintain supersonic cruising speed.
The lower part of the fuselage has a large central niche for missile and bomb armament, and there are probably additional compartments on the sides. The J-36 can perform long-range bomber-missile carrier missions, breaking through enemy air defences at supersonic speeds and striking ground and surface targets.
Source: X
